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Main Street bus information displays are now active

Main Street bus information displays are now active

Remember the passenger information displays being installed at 29 Main Street bus stops this summer?

Well, as of last Friday, the displays are all working! So now you can see arrival times for the next buses at those stops. (Above is a video of the displays in action — they’re very tricky to capture in plain photographs.)

These displays are all part of the Main Street Urban Showcase Project, an innovative transportation improvement program launched in 2004. It’s jointly funded by Transport Canada (through the Urban Transportation Showcase Program), TransLink and the City of Vancouver.

One of 40 benches installed on Main Street as part of the Urban Showcase project.
One of 40 benches installed on Main Street as part of the Urban Showcase project.

The Main Street project is made up of many smaller improvements in urban design (like bus and pedestrian bulges) and new transit technology (like these displays), plus a new fleet of larger buses (the new articulated trolleys on the #3 route). This postcard has a nice summary of the project work.

These improvements work together to build more efficient traffic flows, and make Main Street more welcoming for pedestrians, drivers, and transit riders—in turn serving the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Look out soon for the last piece of the Main Street project: it’s a transit signal priority system, letting on-bus technology ‘talk’ to traffic signals to help keep the buses on time. (It’s explained quite well here, and I’ll have more when the project gets underway.)

And here’s a few more photos of the other Main Street project works, while we’re at it!

The installation of bus bulges created new sidewalk space, allowing us to install 25 new bus shelters along Main Street.
The installation of bus bulges created new sidewalk space, allowing us to install 25 new bus shelters along Main Street.
One of 135 new bike racks on Main Street.
One of 135 new bike racks on Main Street.
A bus wrap designed by Germaine Koh as part of five public art exhibits over two years on Main Street. See <a href=http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2009/08/more-public-art-debuts-on-main-street/>this post</a> for more on Germaine's project, and <a href=http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2009/01/main-street-public-art-program-has-its-official-launch/>this post</a> about the first installation in the public art program.
A bus wrap designed by Germaine Koh as part of five public art exhibits over two years on Main Street. See this post for more on Germaine’s project, and this post about the first installation in the public art program.
Unique tree grates were installed when pavement-heaving trees were replaced as part of sidewalk reconstruction on Main Street.
Unique tree grates were installed when pavement-heaving trees were replaced as part of sidewalk reconstruction on Main Street.
Pavement stamps enhance a sense of place along Main.
Pavement stamps enhance a sense of place along Main.
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